Teen Sensation Kimi Antonelli Shatters Records with Shock Pole in Miami Sprint Qualifying
Mercedes’ teenage prodigy Kimi Antonelli delivered a sensational performance to claim his first-ever Formula 1 pole position in Saturday’s Sprint Qualifying at the Miami Grand Prix. The 18-year-old Italian, who is filling the massive shoes of Lewis Hamilton following the seven-time champion’s switch to Ferrari, shocked the grid with a blistering lap that edged out current championship leader Oscar Piastri by just 0.045 seconds.
Competing in only his sixth F1 race weekend, Antonelli defied expectations on a street circuit he had never driven prior to Friday. Despite limited experience, he produced a commanding display in the decisive SQ3 session with a stunning lap time of 1:26.482, surpassing more established names like Piastri, Lando Norris, and Max Verstappen.
By securing pole, Antonelli didn’t just surprise fans and pundits — he made history. He became the youngest driver ever to clinch a pole position in any of F1’s qualifying formats, breaking Sebastian Vettel’s long-standing record from 2008 by more than two years.
Up to this point in the season, it was teammate George Russell who had been grabbing headlines for Mercedes. However, Antonelli had quietly impressed with top-six finishes in four of his first five races and displayed maturity far beyond his years. In Miami, he finally stepped into the spotlight.
The weekend began with promise, as Antonelli showed solid pace in the only practice session. He continued that momentum into Sprint Qualifying, finishing second to Russell in SQ1 and fourth in SQ2. But it was in the final shootout that he truly delivered, calling his lap “mighty.”
Reflecting on his breakthrough, Antonelli shared, “Every weekend I learn massively. The recent break really helped me to recharge and understand more. I’m more confident with the car, I can feel the limits, and I’m improving how I work with the tyres. There’s still a lot to learn, but I’m giving better feedback and helping the team get the most from the setup.”
Antonelli’s performance marks a major turning point in his budding career, signaling that Mercedes may have uncovered the next big star in Formula 1.
